Citrus Springs is a quiet residential community in the northwestern part of Citrus County, Florida — a low-density, largely non-HOA neighborhood of single-family homes on generous lots that attracts buyers who want affordable Citrus County living without the mandatory membership fees of the county’s golf and resort communities. The community is unincorporated, spread across a grid of county roads in an area that transitions between the Nature Coast’s pine flatwoods and the agricultural land of north Citrus County.
Citrus Springs is not a resort community and it is not marketed as one. It offers affordable homeownership in a county with extraordinary natural recreation — proximity to Crystal River’s springs system, the Gulf of Mexico, the Withlacoochee State Forest, and the broader outdoor landscape of Florida’s Nature Coast — without the resort price tag. Buyers who have researched the county and want to live here without paying Citrus Hills or Sugarmill Woods HOA fees find Citrus Springs to be a practical and affordable alternative.
Citrus Springs Real Estate
Citrus Springs real estate is among the most affordable in Citrus County — a market where the Citrus County median of $270,000 to $305,000 represents the mid-range, and Citrus Springs homes can be found below that median on larger lots than what the same dollar buys elsewhere in the county. The low-density lot configuration, minimal HOA structure, and availability of homes on quarter-acre to half-acre-plus lots make Citrus Springs attractive to buyers who want space and value.
The housing stock in Citrus Springs is primarily single-family residential — a mix of older Florida-style homes and newer construction that reflects the gradual development of the area over several decades. Some parcels include utility hookups and infrastructure, while more rural sections of the community are on well and septic. Buyers should verify utility connections and infrastructure specifics for individual properties.
The extended days on market that characterize Citrus County as a whole apply in Citrus Springs — this is not a fast-moving market, and buyers have time to evaluate properties carefully without competitive pressure. The buyer pool for Citrus Springs is composed primarily of value-oriented buyers relocating from higher-cost markets, retirees seeking affordable Florida homeownership, and buyers who specifically want low density and minimal community restrictions.
Location and Outdoor Recreation Access
Citrus Springs sits in the northwest portion of Citrus County, positioned between the Citrus Hills area to the south and the county line to the north. Crystal River and the Kings Bay springs system are approximately 15 to 20 miles to the southwest — close enough to make the manatee swimming, scalloping, and Gulf fishing of the Nature Coast a regular activity rather than a special trip.
The Withlacoochee State Forest, one of Florida’s largest state forests, borders parts of the northern Citrus County area and provides hiking, hunting, and wildlife observation access. The broader Citrus County outdoor recreation system — including the Withlacoochee State Trail, the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes to the south, and the Crystal River and Homosassa river systems to the west — is accessible from Citrus Springs within reasonable driving distances.
The Suncoast Parkway Phase 2 extension, completed in August 2025, improved the Tampa drive from the north Citrus County area — though Citrus Springs remains primarily a non-commuter market. Buyers here are working remotely, retired, or employed locally in the Citrus County economy.
Schools in Citrus Springs / Citrus County
Citrus Springs is served by the Citrus County School District (B grade from the state). The district operates 11 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools across the county. Lecanto High School is the primary high school serving the northern Citrus County area, ranked #330 in Florida — the district’s highest-performing high school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Citrus Springs FL
Is Citrus Springs FL a good place to live?
For buyers who want affordable Citrus County homeownership with generous lot sizes, minimal HOA restrictions, and proximity to the Nature Coast’s outdoor recreation, Citrus Springs delivers strong value. It is not a resort or golf community — it is a practical, affordable residential area in a county with excellent outdoor recreation infrastructure and improving Tampa access via the Suncoast Parkway.
How far is Citrus Springs from Crystal River?
Approximately 15 to 20 miles from Citrus Springs to Crystal River — about a 20 to 30 minute drive to Kings Bay, Three Sisters Springs, and the Crystal River waterfront. The Gulf Coast outdoor recreation of the Nature Coast is fully accessible from a Citrus Springs address.
Does Citrus Springs have an HOA?
Citrus Springs is largely non-HOA — the community’s unincorporated, low-density character reflects a minimal-restriction residential environment. Individual subdivisions within the broader Citrus Springs area may have their own HOA or deed restrictions, so buyers should verify for specific properties. This low-restriction character is one of the primary attractions for buyers choosing Citrus Springs over the county’s master-planned communities.
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